'Rampage' Jackson believes homecoming is key to title

I will be fighting in Japan for the first time in six years. I love the place. It’s where I became an MMA fighter and where I made a name for myself.

'Rampage' Jackson

Jackson tackles Ryan Bader at UFC 144 this Sunday in Japan, the country where he made his name under the Pride banner.

‘Rampage’ lost his UFC title on a ­unanimous points decision to Forrest Griffin in Las Vegas in July 2008.

He met Jon Jones at UFC 135 in ­September in a bid to regain the title but lost via a fourth-round submission.

Now he wants that belt back and the world No.5 sees the Bader bout as a way of ­muscling back into the title scene.

The 33-year-old said: “I trained my ass off for that Jones fight and was in the best shape of my life.

“But I just didn’t perform like I should have done in the octagon and felt bad for all my team, who had prepared me so well. I still think I can win the title back. I have every confidence in my own ability, to come back in style and win it back.”

First of all, though, he has to overcome Bader and said: “I want to put up a good show for the fans there who are so ­respectful.

“I will be fighting in Japan for the first time in six years. I love the place. It’s where I became an MMA fighter and where I made a name for myself.”

Jackson dismissed claims that he is not as motivated as he should be, saying: “That is a load of b****cks. I was upset with my performance against Jones and I’m going to take that out on Ryan Bader.”